Flight Safety Information
October 21, 2013 - No. 217
In This Issue
Embry-Riddle Welcomes New Aviation Safety Director
Laos crash turns spotlight on safety amid Asia's aviation boom
Spirit Jet Uncontained Engine Failure: How Serious Is This?
Someone shoots at TV station's helicopter in New Mexico
Researchers evaluate electronic flight bags for Air National Guard pilots
Flight crews train to survive all kinds of aircraft emergencies at Long Beach facilities
Think ARGUS PROS
PETA to Air Canada: Set New Standard for Animal Safety
POSITION AVAILABLE:...Air Safety Investigator
GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY
Embry-Riddle Welcomes New Aviation Safety Director
Jeremy Mammen, an alumnus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has joined the school's Daytona
Beach, Fla., campus as the Flight Department's Director of Aviation Safety.
In this role he develops safety procedures and policies, maintains his department's aviation emergency
response procedures guide and analyzes incident and accident data for safety reports used to train staff and
design new programs.
Most recently Mammen was the Manager of Flight Safety at Aerosim Flight Academy in Sanford, Fla. In
previous positions at Aerosim he was a Certified Flight/Check Instructor and a Courseware Developer. He was
also a member of the Runway Safety Action Group and Noise Abatement Committee for Sanford International
Airport. Previously Mammen was an Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman with the U.S. Air Force at Grand Forks
Air Force Base, N.D., where he earned several military honors.
He holds a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle and the FAA ratings of Private Pilot,
Instrument, Commercial Single-Engine/Multi-Engine and Certified Flight Instructor.
http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/11193175/embry-riddle-welcomes-new-aviation-safety-director
Back to Top
NTSB begins retrieving wreckage from plane crash site near Derby (Kansas)
Faced with dozens of bits of airplane debris marked by small orange flags, crews on Sunday began retrieving
the wreckage of a small business jet from the Derby-area soybean field where it crashed last week, killing
both pilot and a nationally known pastor who was the passenger.
Hundreds of pieces of the Cessna Citation lay strewn across at least two fields near 95th Street South and
Webb Road. The outboard portion of the left wing was discovered in another field 3/4 mile to the west.
National Transportation Safety Board Air Safety Investigator Tom Latson said more bits of the multi-engine
plane will likely be found in the coming weeks by residents, and the agency is asking that anyone who
encounters pieces of the wreckage to report their findings to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office or e-mail
witness@ntsb.gov.
"The airplane was heavily fragmented," Latson said Sunday at the crash site. "The pieces that we found
number in the thousands."
Authorities have said the 1975 Cessna, registered to Dufresne Inc., went down less than 20 minutes after
taking off from Wichita Mid-Continent Airport at 9:59 a.m. Friday. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing
an in-air explosion or seeing a white cloud trailing behind the aircraft. Some saw the impact, followed by black
smoke. Others, Latson said, saw pieces falling off the plane as it came down.
On board were traveling pastor 72-year-old Ed Dufresne, 72, of World Harvest Church in Murrieta, Cailf., and
his longtime pilot, Mitchell Morgan. Neither survived.
Latson said records show that the plane, which was en route to Texas, reached an altitude of about 16,400
feet before beginning a "near-vertical, high-speed, high-velocity" descent. It disappeared from radar at 10:17
a.m. There was no distress call.
Most of the wreckage is centered in a 15-by-20-foot wide and 6-foot-deep crater, where the plane was further
destroyed by fire following impact. On Sunday afternoon, Latson and investigators from the Federal Aviation
Administration, Cessna Aircraft Co. and the engine manufacturers continued to extensively map and catalog
each fragment found.
Others combing the soybean field carefully picked up metal, a CD and mangled bits of still-recognizable
aircraft, then dropped them in 5-gallon buckets. A front loader and backhoe were parked nearby.
Latson said on-scene retrieval efforts are expected to continue through Monday. Then the wreckage will be
shipped to a Dallas-area storage facility for further inspection and evaluation. Investigators are also reviewing
medical histories for both Dufresne and Morgan, the pilot's qualifications and training history, as well as the
aircraft's flight logs.
Latson said a preliminary report of his findings likely be published on www.ntsb.gov within a week and that a
more extensive report would follow in six to 12 months.
It could take a year or longer, however, before a five-member panel at the NTSB determines the cause of the
crash.
"The investigation is difficult, long, tedious," Latson said. "For family and friends, it is painful because it takes
so long."
http://www.kansas.com/2013/10/20/3069529/national-investigators-begin-retrieving.html#storylink=cpy
***************
Last updated: 21 October 2013
Status:
Preliminary
Date:
Friday 18 October 2013
Time:
10:18
Type:
Cessna 500 Citation I
Operator:
Dufresne Inc.
Registration:
N610ED
C/n / msn:
500-0241
First flight:
1975
Engines:
2 Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-1
Crew:
Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Passengers:
Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Total:
Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Airplane damage:
Destroyed
Airplane fate:
Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:
ca 3 km SE of Derby, KS (United States of America)
Phase:
En route (ENR)
Nature:
Private
Departure airport:
Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS (ICT/KICT), United States of America
Destination airport:
New Braunfels Regional Airport, TX (KBAZ), United States of America
Narrative:
A Cessna 500 Citation I corporate jet was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Derby, KS. Both occupants
were killed.
The airplane was owned by California pastor Ed Dufresne of the World Harvest Church. He was on board the
flight that departed Wichita-Mid-Continent Airport, KS (ICT) at 09:59, destined for New Braunfels Regional
Airport, TX.
According to LiveATC, the aircraft was cleared direct to JAMEY by Wichita Departure East around 10:08 shortly
after departure. Around 10:18, two unsuccessful attempts were made to contact the aircraft by ATC. Several
other turbine aircraft were reporting icing conditions at the time. Last recorded radar altitude by as shown by
Flightaware was 15.200 feet as it was climbing towards the planned cruising altitude of FL320.
www.aviation-safety.net
Back to Top
Lasers From Ground Distract Two Pilots Landing At LaGuardia
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is asking for the public's help to find whoever's been pointing lasers at
airplanes as they approach the city. NY1's Steve Kastenbaum filed the following report.
The last thing a pilot needs is a distraction during those critical moments right before landing a plane. But
lately, it's been happening with an alarming frequency.
At 7:35 p.m. Tuesday, a Shuttle America pilot headed toward LaGuardia said a green laser lit up the cockpit
when he was about six miles from the runway.
The FBI says the light seemed to come from near the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx.
Then, about three hours later, the pilot of a private plane reported a similar incident, with the light shining
from Broadway and Steinway Street in Queens.
The FBI says there has been a 17 percent increase in laser attacks since last year.
"There's always been a continuous issue with it, but lately we've seen it happen more and more," says Richard
Frankel of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. "Two incidents very close together, both targeting pilots flying
into LaGuardia, is concerning to us."
"When these things start increasing in numbers and prevalence and locations, the law of averages will dictate
that they're going to increase the risk factors while we're flying those airplanes," says Sean Cassidy, Vice
President and National Safety Coordinator of the Air Line Pilots Association International.
Fortunately, the pilots of both planes targeted on Tuesday were able to land safely.
But in August another pilot's retina was burned by a laser light pointed at the cockpit.
This is not something that passengers arriving in New York Thursday night wanted to hear.
"It's scary," said one. "I'm glad that I landed and that I'm safe on the ground. I'll be a little more scared
coming in next time."
"I fly for business and pleasure," said another. "I'm not going to stop flying because some people are idiots."
The FBI is asking for the public's help in finding the people who are putting flights at risk in this area. Those
with information are being asked to call 212-384-1000.
http://www.ny1.com/content/news/190713/lasers-from-ground-distract-two-pilots-landing-at-laguardia
Back to Top
Plane crash kills 10 skydivers in Belgium
TEN parachutists and a pilot have died after a plane crashed shortly after taking off in south-east Belgium.
CRASH The plane 039 nose dived 039 to the floor after losing a wing according to reports CRASH: The plane
'nose-dived' to the floor after losing a wing, according to reports [AFP/GETTY]
The light aircraft carrying the eleven people nose dived into the ground on the outskirts of the city of Namur
killing all aboard the plane.
According to reports, the wing of the plane fell off mid-flight and that five of six ambulances came to the
scene.
One witness told Belgium's Sud Presse newspaper: "The plane flew over my house and I saw pieces fall from
the plane.
"Then the plane pitched, and nose dived, crashing about 200 yards away."
belgium, crash, plane. The plane is obliterated after the crash [EPA]
Investigators are still unsure behind the reason for the accident.
The fire services were called at 3.40pm on Saturday.
Another witness told Belgian television: "I didn't see anyone escape with a parachute."
Elio di Rupo, the Belgian prime minister, spoke out to the people hurt by the devastating crash.
"Plane crash near Namur: my thoughts are with all the victims, their families and their loved ones," he said.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/437936/Plane-crash-kills-10-skydivers-in-Belgium
************
Date:
19-OCT-2013
Time:
15:45 LT
Type:
Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter
Owner/operator:
Paraclub Namur
Registration:
OO-NAC
C/n / msn:
710
Fatalities:
Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
Other fatalities:
0
Airplane damage:
Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:
Fernelmont - Belgium
Phase:
En route
Nature:
Parachuting
Departure airport:
Namur-Suarlée Airport (EBNM)
Destination airport:
Namur-Suarlée Airport (EBNM)
Narrative:
A Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4 Turbo Porter carrying 10 skydivers (instructors and students) and a pilot, lost height and
impacted terrain some ten minutes after takeoff from Namur-Suarlée Airport, Belgium.
All aboard were killed.
News reports suggest that three opened parachutes were found at the crash site.
The airplane had been rebuilt in 2002 by Pilatus Flugzeugwerke following a take-off accident at Moorsele
(EBMO) on March, 12th 2000. The airplane was registered OO-FWJ and became OO-NAC when it returned in
2003.
www.aviation-safety.net
Back to Top
Laos Plane Crash Probe Hones In On Black Box
BANGKOK (AP) - Investigators in Laos say they have picked up underwater signals they believe are coming
from the black box of a passenger plane that crashed into the Mekong River, but strong currents are thwarting
attempts to find it.
The Lao Airlines plane crashed Wednesday after getting caught in a heavy storm as it approached Pakse
Airport in southern Laos.
All 49 people on board are presumed dead.
Officials said that as of Sunday, 41 bodies had been recovered.
Yakua Lopangkao, a Lao aviation official, said that French and Thai search teams using sonar and other
equipment picked up signals from underwater that "we believe might be the location of the black box."
He said strong currents and deep water were blocking attempts to retrieve it.
Back to Top
Family of rats discovered on airplane at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport in China
11 rats, which included one mother and 10 babies, were hidden away under a seat in business class. No
damage was done to the plane by the rodents.
The rat family included the mother and ten baby rodents.
A family of 11 rodents lived the dream when they flew business class from Hong Kong to China.
The mom and her 10 suckling babies were nesting below one of the expensive seats as the commercial flight
soared into the sky.
A family of rats flew in comfort on a flight from Hong Kong to China.
But sadly their luxurious journey ended on touchdown at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, on Sept. 30.,
after a stunned passenger saw one scurrying in the aisle.
Once fliers had disembarked, the aircraft was put into lock down.
Video footage broadcast by the Sydney Morning Herald shows teams of protective suit-wearing inspectors
searching for the vermin in overhead lockers and behind seats.
The plane was inspected for any possible damage.
They soon found 10 tiny rats in their secret hideaway under a business class seat. Their mom was caught the
same day.
Tests showed the critters were virus-free and the plane was later given the all-clear after it was confirmed
that its wiring had not been affected.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/family-rats-discovered-airplane-china-article-
1.1489510#ixzz2iMJrUxZu
Back to Top
Back to Top
Boeing Cuts 747 Production Again as Demand Wanes for Biggest Jet
Boeing Co. (BA) is slowing production of its 747-8 jumbo jet, the planemaker's biggest model ever, for the
second time this year as demand continues to dwindle for four-engine aircraft.
The new rate will be 1.5 planes a month, a pace that will be maintained through 2015, Chicago-based Boeing
said yesterday in a statement. That's a 14 percent drop from the 1.75 rate announced in April and a 25
percent decline from production at the start of 2013.
Boeing's pullback is the second one this year for the 747-8, the latest variant of the iconic, humpbacked
aircraft family that revolutionized air travel more than 40 years ago with its size and range.
While Boeing hasn't yet netted any new sales for the jumbo this year, it's in "active" discussions with several
customers and looking forward to a 2014 rebound in the cargo market, which could spark interest in a
freighter version of the 747-8, Doug Alder, a Boeing spokesman, said in an interview. Korean Air Lines Co.
agreed to buy five of the passenger version in June, though it never completed its order.
"It's not a surprise, in fact it's smart," Howard Rubel, a New York-based aerospace analyst with Jefferies Inc.,
said in a phone interview. "It tightens up the market, doesn't put airplanes out there that can't be sold."
Boeing has parked some new 747-8s in the desert and allowed customers to trade in older jumbos this year in
an effort to garner sales for the latest variant of the iconic, humpbacked aircraft family that revolutionized air
travel more than 40 years ago with its size and range.
The task is complicated by a shift among airlines away from costlier four-engine aircraft toward fuel-sipping
twin-engine jets capable of flying the same long distances. A new Boeing 777X, expected to be unveiled next
month, could further cut into sales as the first dual-engine plane designed to seat more than 400 passengers.
Cannibalizing Sales
By rolling out an aircraft that will eliminate the need for a jumbo at many airlines, Boeing may cannibalize
sales of its 747-8, which seats 467 people in a typical three-class cabin. At a list price of $356.9 million, it's
the planemaker's most expensive passenger model, the latest version of an aircraft family that has amassed
more than 1,500 orders.
"Long-term the 747-8 platform remains a viable freighter given its favorable economics, but the introduction
of the 777X will likely seal the fate of the 747-8 passenger version by the end of this decade," wrote Peter
Arment, a New York-based aerospace analyst with Sterne, Agee & Leach Inc., in a note to clients yesterday.
Arment, who rates Boeing a buy, said he doesn't expect 2014 earnings to be affected by the rate cut and sees
Boeing lowering its 747 output to one per month by mid-decade.
Crowded Airports
Boeing and Airbus SAS, a planemaker based in Toulouse, France, that makes the competing A380 super-
jumbo, say airlines flying into slot-constrained airports like London's Heathrow will continue to need double-
decker jets to keep pace with passenger demand as the global economy strengthens.
Boeing predicts demand for very large aircraft, such as the 747-8 and A380, will reach 760 planes valued at
$280 billion over the next 20 years.
"We have plans to keep that airplane in production for a long time," Randy Tinseth, a Boeing vice president for
marketing, said of the 747 in an Oct. 7 phone interview.
Boeing has booked 107 total orders for the jumbo and had delivered 56 of the planes by the end of
September. The backlog of 51 aircraft would keep its Everett, Washington, assembly line humming for almost
three years at the rate announced yesterday.
Boeing shares were little changed yesterday at $122.52 at the New York close. They have risen 63 percent
this year, compared with a 22 percent gain in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-10-18/boeing-cuts-747-production-again-as-demand-wanes-for-
biggest-jet.html
Back to Top
Singapore Air drops world's longest flight
LONDON (CNN) - The world's longest nonstop flight - linking Singapore to New Jersey - is going away.
The Singapore Airlines route is about 9,500 miles long - roughly a 19-hour trip.
Experts say money likely played a role in the decision to kill the flight.
The world's second longest nonstop fight is also scheduled to be canceled this month. Its an 18-hour
Singapore Airlines flight between Singapore and Los Angeles.
The cancellations now may Qantas' 8,600 mile flight from Sydney to Dallas the world's longest nonstop by
distance.
The longest nonstop by time will be Delta's 17-hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa.
Back to Top
GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY:
Dear Colleagues,
Hello - I am currently a Senior Researcher at Saint Louis University and have graciously been offered the opportunity by
your moderator to post a web link for the remainder of Oct 2013 to my web-based, dissertation research survey.
My career has spanned 33 years in four flavors of aviation. My first job was spent hunting submarines with the US Navy
on active duty for eight years and then an additional 12 1/2 years in the US Navy Reserves. My corporate career was
spent in aerospace at McDonnell Douglas / Boeing where I spent all of my 23 years on advanced development projects,
things that are not in the mainstream, yet. A very influential assignment was with Boeing's Air Traffic Management
group. We were way ahead of the state-of-the art in 2001 and were advocating a space-based infrastructure with
significant automation for both the airplanes and how they would be managed (not controlled as they are today). The
essential guts of these ideas exist today in the FAA's NextGen program. Now, I am pursing a final career chapter in
academia. Concurrent through these three career phases has been my continual General Aviation participation, since
1978, as a Private, Commercial and Certified Flight Instructor pilot. It is a very expensive hobby, but there is no better
way to travel than to fly yourself, if you can swing it.
My dissertation research is exploring the factors which may be essential for passenger travel on unmanned, autonomous
airliners. Current public policy concerns with unmanned systems are focused more on privacy. A longer-range view
envisions unmanned systems continuing to make inroads into all segments of aviation. The likely last adaptation of
unmanned technology would be passenger airlines. Thus, my dissertation is focused on the trust, safety and cost
factors that may make you (1) more comfortable traveling on such an airliner, (2) factors that would make you less
comfortable traveling on such an airliner and, (3) factors that do not matter in this decision.
For this research I have chosen to use a fractional factorial survey. It is factorial because multiple factors (8), at two
opposite levels each, are embedded in a short, one-page, story which you read. And, it is fractional because while there
are 256 possible combinations of these factors in the story, you will randomly be presented with one of 16 versions of the
story (a ?16 fraction of 256).
The survey link leads to one lead-in question, the 1-page vignette, five follow-up questions and four demographic
questions. Total completion time takes about 5-7 min, unless you would choose to comment, which you are most
welcome to do. Will you please consider having your voice counted in the evaluation of a potential future of commercial
aviation?
Here is the link to the survey: this: https://slu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1Mrk8KmQOjMbblr
Thank you !!
Sincerely,
Matt Vance
Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology
Saint Louis University
3450 Lindell Boulevard
McDonnell Douglas Hall, Room 1036
St. Louis, MO 63103
office: 314-977-8244
svance1@slu.edu
Curt Lewis